On September 27th, 2015 we were hiking yet another Adirondack 46er, Big Slide Mountain. I must say this was one of my favourite hikes of the Adirondacks so far. On the way to the top you have so many viewpoints like no other mountain in the Adk (at least of all the 30 mountains I have hiked so far). In addition, the weather was absolutely stunning.
We were 5 people in the car and left Montreal in the morning. There is the Garden parking lot just at the trail head (orange dot on the map). However, this parking lot costs 7$ and fills up pretty fast in the morning. There is a 5$ p.P. shuttle that drives to the trailhead from the Marcy Airfield 2.5miles north of Keene Valley. We made use of this option as the parking was full. Keep in mind that the shuttle only operates between 7am - 7pm. Check this site for more info on the shuttle.
We started our hike rather late at 9:35am. We decided on hiking Big Slide in a loop by heading straight up to the top and then back over the less steep but longer path to lower Ausable Lake. Once descended, you just need to follow the Lake Road back to the trail head. The start of the hike was very strenuous as it went up steeply from the start on. But you are constantly rewarded by stunning view over Gothic, Marcy, Giant and the Dix Range in the far back. We reached the top of Big Slide by 12:15pm and enjoyed the view for almost 1 hr before heading back. We were back at the trail head by 5pm.
Here our stats:
Total time: 6 hrs 24 min
Distance: 15.5 km
Elevation gain: 1,440 m
This was our group this time. For one person hiked it's first peak in the Adirondacks on that day!
Andreas, our photographer ;-) He always carries his big camera so that we have nice photos.
On the top of Big Slide Mountain.
What a beautiful trail.
We might have did it again. Texas Steak Roadhouse after a long hiking day ;-)
 - 4,199 ft (1,280 m)){kind=link}
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